Adam Jackson is raring to go after returning from his latest injury setback.
The Barnsley defender was stretchered off in the 1-1 draw at Hull City after a nasty clash of heads with Jon-Miquel Toral, and subsequently missed the defeat to Cardiff City on Tuesday evening.
But the 23-year-old is back in training and feels fit ahead of this weekend’s trip to Middlesbrough.
“I’m loads better now,” said Jackson. "For the first couple of days afterwards I was a bit groggy, had a bit of headache and wasn’t feeling too well. I got better and better day by day, and the last couple of days I got back to normal.”
Jackson began his career at the Riverside as a youngster, but never made a first team appearance.
After loan spells at Coventry City and Hartlepool United, the defender joined Barnsley in August 2016 and went onto establish himself as a first team regular at the start of this campaign.
However, a muscle injury sustained in October resulted in a lengthy spell on the sidelines, but Jackson has worked his way back to fitness and is aiming to help the team build momentum under José Morais.
The Reds have picked up four points in four games since the Portuguese was appointed as Head Coach last month, and Jackson admits there have been encouraging signs both on and off the pitch.
“It’s different, but it’s new ideas,” continued Jackson. "New people give new ideas and we’re all trying to learn a new way. It’s more important that we get the points and get the results we need, because we’re not in the best position but we know we can get out of it.
“We’ve got a great set of lads so, that was never going to be a problem - no matter who came in we were always going to buy into it. We want to get out of it, and if this person is going to help us do that then great.
"We need to keep doing what we’re doing - I don’t think we’re a million miles away, to be honest. With a bit of luck we’ll be there; getting the points, nicking a goal here and you’re three points higher up. So I don’t think we’re a million miles away.”
Barnsley came close to claiming a share of the spoils against Cardiff on Tuesday, in what was arguably the side’s best performance under Morais.
The Reds enjoyed 61% of possession and managed 19 attempts in South Wales but just fell short, and Jackson believes that has been the case on frequent occasions this campaign.
“A lot of games have been like that this season, like the Fulham game here,” said Jackson. "I think, in the first half especially, we absolutely battered them, and they’re flying at the moment.
"I don’t think there’s many games where we’ve been battered or dominated, and with a bit of luck it could be our three points on Saturday.”
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